RSS demands Centre's intervention in Manipur crisis

The Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Monday demanded intervention of Centre to resolve the crisis in Manipur.

The Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on Monday demanded intervention of Centre to resolve the crisis in Manipur.

"It was highly deplorable to shut both the national highways to Manipur for last 17 days while opposing the entry of NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah in Manipur," RSS General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said in a statement in Nagpur Monday.

About 25 lakh people in Manipur are hit by the closure of national highways. Prices of essential commodities including rice, pulses, floor, diesel, petrol and kerosenes are skyrocketing. Dimapur-Imphal NH 39 and Jiribam-Imphal NH 53 are closed since April 11, he said.

"I therefore urge the Centre and state to initiate immediate steps to reopen the closed national highways. Some years ago, Centre intervened to reopen the Jammu-Srinagar national highways within 48 hours, Joshi recalled. It was surprising that though the people of Manipur were suffering, Central Government was keeping mum," he said.

"Manipur is facing another crisis as some militant organisations have threatened to non-Manipuri people to leave the state before May 31. Their demand is unconstitutional and against national interest. RSS has demanded security to all the citizens of Manipur," Joshi said.

"Manipur is in turmoil since April. First, Naga groups residing in Manipur enforced an indefinite economic blockade April 11 protesting the state government’s decision to hold autonomous council elections and then since May 6 over the state government refusing permission to Naga separatist leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his ancestral village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district," he said.